Chapter 8 - The Girl Behind the Door
Rebecca refused police protection.
“If Voss thinks I’m frightened, he will know we have something important,” she said.
“You are frightened,” Claire replied.
“Yes. I’m simply more afraid of what happens to Ellie if we stop.”
Daniel arranged discreet surveillance and took Rebecca to a secure location.
Lucas returned to the estate with Ellie. Vanessa was waiting in the foyer.
She rushed forward.
“Oh, thank goodness. Graham told me someone took her.”
Lucas stepped between Vanessa and his daughter.
“Who told Ashford to collect Ellie?”
Vanessa looked shocked.
“I have no idea.”
“The driver had an order signed in my name.”
“Then someone is trying to frame us.”
“Us?”
Vanessa’s expression faltered.
She reached toward Ellie.
“Sweetheart, come here.”
Ellie moved behind Lucas.
Vanessa slowly lowered her hand.
“I’ve been trying so hard with her,” she said. “But Claire keeps teaching her to fear me.”
Lucas said nothing.
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“You’re looking at me like I’m a stranger.”
“I’m beginning to think you are.”
She turned away, appearing wounded.
Then she said, “Perhaps we should postpone the wedding.”
It was a test.
If Lucas agreed too quickly, she would know he had discovered the plan.
He stepped closer.
“No. We have spent a year preparing. I won’t let someone destroy our life with forged documents.”
Relief flashed across her face.
She embraced him.
Lucas kept his arms at his sides.
Over her shoulder, he saw Ellie watching him. Confusion and hurt appeared in her eyes.
He hated the deception, but he needed Vanessa to carry the envelope into the wedding.
Later, when they were alone, Lucas explained only what Ellie needed to know.
“I’m not going to marry Vanessa,” he said.
“Then why did you tell her you are?”
“Because some adults are hiding something important. I need them to think I don’t know.”
“Like a detective?”
“Exactly.”
“Do I have to be at the wedding?”
“No.”
Ellie thought about it.
“I want to go.”
“Why?”
“Because she hides things when people are not looking. I can help you look.”
“You don’t have to help. Your job is to stay safe.”
“What if safe is next to you?”
Lucas could not answer immediately.
They agreed that Ellie would attend only the opening of the ceremony, remain with Claire, and leave at the first sign of danger.
The next afternoon, Rosa brought Vanessa’s altered gown to the estate.
Hidden inside the lining was a narrow pocket with two openings. One could be reached by Vanessa. The second was accessible through a concealed seam near the hem.
Rosa had installed a tiny fabric tag that would tear if the envelope was removed.
“Whatever she hides inside, we’ll know,” Rosa said.
Vanessa inspected the gown and noticed nothing.
That night, she entered the guest room where the dress hung.
The hallway camera recorded her opening the hidden pocket and placing three objects inside.
A sealed envelope.
A flash drive.
A small vial containing clear liquid.
She then made a phone call.
“The evidence will remain on me until the midnight hearing,” she said. “Cross will handle Lucas before then.”
Voss answered through the speaker.
“And the girl?”
Vanessa glanced toward the hallway.
“She’ll be behind the locked door until the transfer is complete.”
Ellie, who had left her stuffed rabbit near the guest room, heard everything.
She backed away before Vanessa saw her.
The following morning, Lucas found Ellie sitting outside the bathroom, staring at its lock.
“What’s wrong?”
May you like
She looked up at him.
“She already chose the door.”
